For as long as people have feared witches, they’ve feared that death might not be enough to stop them. This week on Let’s Talk Spooky, we follow the strange burials of three women who were held down by stone, by tide, and by story.
CONTENT WARNING
This episode includes discussion of a confession obtained under likely torture, a death in custody that may have been suicide, a local legend involving suicide, and the desecration of a grave. Listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling, please reach out to a local crisis line; in Canada, you can call or text 9-8-8.
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Source Material:
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Shaw, Allyson. “Ashes and Stones: A Scottish Journey in Search of Witches and Witness.” Books from Scotland, Jan. 2023.
Frost, Natasha. “Meet a Scottish ‘Witch’ Who Died 300 Years Ago.” Atlas Obscura, 31 Oct. 2017.
Lancashire Online Parish Clerk Project. “Burials at St Anne, Woodplumpton, 1693–1717.” Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerks, lan-opc.org.uk/St-Michael-on-Wyre/stannew/burials_1693-1717.html.
Lancashire County Council. “Other Witch Stories.” Red Rose Collections, item 235233, redrosecollections.lancashire.gov.uk/view-item?i=235233.
McCann, Barry. “The Witch of Woodplumpton.” Spooky Isles, www.spookyisles.com/witch-of-woodplumpton.
“Meg Shelton the Fylde Witch.” Mysterious Britain & Ireland, mysteriousbritain.co.uk/?p=3430.
St Anne’s Church, Woodplumpton. “History of St Anne’s.” St Anne’s Woodplumpton, stanneswoodplumpton.org.uk.
Ian. “Meg Shelton the Fylde Witch.” Mysterious Britain & Ireland, 8 Dec. 2009.
“History of St Anne’s.” St Anne Church Woodplumpton.
Ghost Guide Daniel. “Mary Rutherford | Separating the Witch from True History.” Ghost Walks, 26 Jan. 2026.
Ghost Guide Daniel. “Mary Rutherford | Separating the Witch from True History.” Ghost Walks, Jan. 2026, ghostwalks.com/articles/mary-rutherford-witch-legend.
“Early Modern Witch Trials: Accusation and Trial.” The National Archives, section “The 1604 Act Against Witchcraft.”
“Scotland’s Witch Hunts.” National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/scotland-witch-hunts.
“The Witchcraft Act, 1604.” The National Archives (UK).
“Torryburn.” The Scots Magazine, Oct. 2025.
“Under Her Spell.” Live Science, 2017.
Ashes and Stones: A Scottish Journey in Search of Witches and Witness. Extract, Books from Scotland, 2023.
